Sunday, July 22, 2007

Here is another praise poem to Philip ap Rhys and Gwenllian of Cenarth, St Harmon. Ffransis Payne considered it the best of the poems composed for the family. It is the only surviving work by the bard Ieuan Gyfannedd.

Praise of Philip ap Rhys and Gwenllian vz Owain Glyndwr (IG)

Philip, a generous royal stock,Ap Rhys, there‘s mention of you,Lover of our song;And much, too, of Gwenllian;Honour to you and this goddess,Famed Arthur of Gwerthrynion.

You dwell in the house of fame,You and the girl from Glyn;You are firmly seatedOn the bench of the men of estate;Loyally the bards, all who would cultivateYour land, would not leave its supportIn summer or in winter,God’s blessing on your house.

I’ve composed a wide acre of praiseIn the borderlands, it’s honourable;Like an agreement for joint-ploughing,I refer to you in furrows of harmonious praise.The datgeiniaid have sung, have harrowed,Have dug over an acre of song.

It has been sown a hundred timesWith the blessings of the weak.Chieftain of our land, your praise was everA fresh shoot, like that of Rhys,It has been sown, like the seed cornFrom the wheat, the world’s blessing.Your dominion is more than a saint’s,The land has been sown with a chaired poemIn your praise, Mary’s blessing upon you;The world has been sown, unto the grave,With songs to the girl from Gwynedd.

This tall house in the hill’s foldIs the wheat store of blessings;You are the best of men, with a fair wifeAnd a house for every charity;Your hall has been stitchedWith good poetry, your delight;The carpenters of praise measure their trunksBy a man’s goodness, not with greenwood;Today, Rhydderch’s nephew, is lifted upBy the work of carpenters of love,And on high, the belfry of their praiseWill be ready by morning.

A long life to you and the girl from Gwynedd,To give there in mead and song.A long life was given to Moses,Old Noah lived to a great age,You and Gwenllian will grow oldIn the land of fame, in the hill’s fold.